During our years spent living abroad, many of our European friends
would enjoy the Swiss tradition of a Raclette dinner during the cold winter
months. This past holiday season we
decided to make it our new Christmas Eve tradition.

What is Raclette, you’re thinking? Raclette refers to an electric
grill used to melt Raclette cheese and grill meats and veggies. Some traditional grilling options are fish,
poultry, vegetables and bread. Think of
it as a cross between hibachi and fondue.
While your food is cooking on the surface of the grill, there are
individual trays for each guest to melt their own cheese. After the cheese has bubbled, you then scrape
the cheese off onto your plate over the food.
The name Raclette is from the French word “Racker” which means “to
scrape.” This dish is commonly served
with boiled potatoes and pickles.

How it Began

This Swiss tradition dates as far back as 1291 where farmers and
herdsmen would make a meal of cheese melted by the open fire. As the cheese melted they would scrape it off
the wheel, and serve with potatoes and pickles.

Pairing Options

It is said that no other beverage other than wine should ever be
served with Raclette. So who am I to
argue with a 700-year-old tradition?
Most Europeans looking to pair a wine with Raclette will choose a wine
from their own particular region, so there isn’t necessarily any one perfect
pairing option. The broader
recommendation is to choose a dry French wine or a mild red depending on your
menu choices. Many suggest a Pinot Noir
if your dinner dictates a red wine as it’s considered a good fit with the
cheese.

What Makes it so Great?

Raclette is a great way to entertain guests and enjoy the company
of friends and family. My particular
Raclette serves 8 people as it comes with 8 individualized cheese melting trays,
but other sizes are available as well.
Guests can choose their favorites among your food choices, and place
them on the grill themselves while waiting for their cheese to melt to
perfection.

If you really want to experience living like the Swiss, I not only
suggest making Raclette your new winter tradition but suggest you book a home
exchange in one of International Vacation Home Exchange’s luxury
homes. Their properties are located in
70 countries around the world including Switzerland! You can choose this Swiss chalet
or this Ski house, just to name a few. As delicious as our Raclette dinner was it
could only be better enhanced by enjoying it after a day of skiing the Alps,
sitting by a crackling fire and, of course, pairing it with a wine purchased
from a local vineyard.

Thank you to Travel Writer Lisa Medeiros (www.lisamedeiros.com). Follow her on twitter @lisamedeiros_

There aren’t many family
trips I can take my teenage boys on where they aren’t rolling their eyes or in
a boredom induced coma. In fairness to
them, we have dragged them through places like the Hermitage Museum in Russia,
a three hour Vatican Tour and a weekend in Bruges, Belgium, which they refer to
as “the most boring city in the world.” I
guess I can see where I may have lost some travel planning credibility through
the years. It certainly came as no
surprise when I announced I was booking a trip to LA this summer that the reply
was, “We’ve done enough family vacations” and, “We’re not sightseeing are we?” Luckily for them, they have a mom who is
super cool (they’ve never confirmed that) and managed to plan a trip that in
their words “didn’t suck.” This is the
highest praise a teenage boy’s mom can receive.
Here are some of their top picks:

Up Close to the Hollywood
Sign

Cool, right? We hired a driver to take us on a little
known route that only the locals know about.
We parked the car and took a short walk to a spot with a perfect view of
this LA icon. There was limited
complaining, they considered it cool enough to even take their phones out to
Instagram/Snapchat it, and I think I even heard one mumble “cool,” but I could
be wrong.

Warner Brother’s Studio Tour

Even though this would
come under the category of “sightseeing” my kids really enjoyed seeing all the
behind the scenes stuff from their favorite movies and TV shows. We saw the Friends actual set and
learned a lot about the film industry.
This one was a real crowd pleaser.

Peterson Museum

Peterson Museum is one of
the world’s largest automotive museums.
The museum has over 100 vehicles on display. We recognized many of them from movies and
television. One of my sons even said
this was his favorite excursion we did in LA.

Fairfax Avenue

If you’re not a teenage boy,
then this won’t mean much to you but think teen boy’s version of Rodeo
Drive. This street contains pop up shops
featuring all their favorite brands like Huff, Supreme (Okay, I only know
two). My boys loved being there in
person and being able to buy a few things from what many consider to be the
coolest street in LA. The only thing
they found uncool about being on Fairfax was that they had to walk up and down
this hip street with their parents in tow.
As cool as we claim to be, a few of these edgy shops felt the need to
alter the music selection when they saw my husband and I walk in. Most appeared to have a hard time finding a
song that would meet parental approval, and one shop owner seemed to go through
his entire playlist. Whatever last bits
of street credit my husband and I were clinging to were left there on Fairfax
that day.

My kids also enjoyed Santa
Monica Pier (what’s not to love). They
also enjoyed our quick stop on trendy Venice Beach, though by that time it was
late in the day and we were reminded that they are moody teenagers by them
asking, “Are we leaving soon?” as if I had brought them to a flea market. Along with these teen friendly sites, there’s
always the usual standbys to entertain teens like bikini clad girls, endless
sunshine and if all else fails, Pokémon Go.

You can get the full
Hollywood starlet experience by booking a home exchange through International Vacation Home Exchange.
IVHE offers many luxury
homes
throughout the Los Angeles area. Who knows,
you might even end up next door to Pharrell making it the ultimate teen
friendly trip and maybe even restoring a little street credit along the
way.

Thank you to travel writer
Lisa Medeiros. Follow her on Twitter
@lisamedeiros_

Thatched roofed homes, a picturesque countryside, ancient
castles and a bustling capital city are all things visitors to England can be
sure to enjoy. There is so much to see
and do throughout England while you take in all the character and charm that
this country has to offer.

London is said to be the most visited city in the world and
is considered one of the cleanest and safest cities to visit. The Tube, the underground public
transportation system, is easy to navigate and very user friendly. It’s a convenient way to get to all the top
attractions London has on tap. On most
visitor’s list is a trip to Buckingham
Palace to watch the Changing of the Guard, which usually
takes place at 11:30am weekday mornings (though the time can vary). Big Ben, Parliament and the London Eye are
iconic landmarks to visit, as well as, Tower of London where the Crown Jewels
exhibit is located. These are just a few
of the many sites more than 17 million London visitors enjoy each year. London is also home to many well-known
museums to explore and, as an added bonus, most London museums do not charge an
entrance fee.

Venturing outside of the city and exploring the English
countryside with all its alluring character is a must-do for any visitor to
this country. If you head to South Central
England, you’ll find an area referred to as the Cotswolds. This is true quintessential England at its
very best. Known for its rolling hills
and meadows, quaint villages and cozy pubs, it holds all the charm that comes
to mind when people think of England.
Just outside the Cotswolds is the historic city of Bath. Bath is best known for its Roman built baths
and Bath Abbey. You can stroll the
cobblestone streets where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants. Not too far from Bath you can take a self-guided
tour of Stonehenge which is not to be missed on any trip to England.

Head to the Southernmost part of the country to explore the
sleepy seaside towns in the Cornwall area. If you are a surfing enthusiast, you can “hang
ten” in Newquay or any of the surrounding towns known for their impressive
waves. Head north of London to visit the
Lake District with its many outdoor activities and breathtaking scenery.

The Southeastern coastline is home to the White Cliffs of
Dover. It’s here that you will find the
iconic chalk cliffs that face the English Channel towards Continental
Europe. On your travels, be sure not to
miss any of the famous castles that are dotted around the countryside. Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace and
Leeds Castle are among the most famous castles located outside of London.

With so much rich history and breathtaking countryside to
explore, you’ll want to put England on the top of your travel list. Gather up your mates and start making plans
for your unforgettable trip to “Old Blighty.”

I have lived in several American states, and I have never
seen a place take to the holidays more than Utah.In the cities, Christmas decor abounds and in
the mountains, both locals and foreign sophisticates take to the slopes to
enjoy “the greatest snow on earth” (I’m told this is because there is an
unusual amount of “powder” snow which falls because of a somewhat dry climate.I, myself gave up skiing in junior high when
I broke the rope tow by getting my glove caught in the pulley which then
propelled me to land on the tip of my ski that then broke.The crowning insult was when a cute high
school boy came to help me up and all turned to see who brought the whole
operation down).

Park City

World-famous because of the Sundance Film Festival in
January, Park City offers holiday delights as well. Rocky Mountain Christmas “Where Every Day’s
a Holiday” sells Christmas decorations year-round on Park City’s Main Street
and most of the shops offer unique, alpine-themed gifts.

Read for a sleigh ride and dinner? Snowed Inn Sleigh Company provides sleigh
rides pulled by two draft horses to a cozy restaurant.

Santa is right at home in the cold temperatures, and keeps
hours at the Park City Center during December.
Also adding to the fun is the yearly Snowfest with the l tree-lighting
ceremony, live entertainment, and s’mores.
Take a break from skiing to enjoy the cheer.

Midway and
Surrounding Area

Midway, first settled by Swiss immigrants, still celebrates
its heritage with a European-style Christmas.

Maintaining its old character and charm, Midway is a winter
wonderland complete with artistic Ice Castles.
These fairy-tale fortresses are worthy of The Snow Queen or Father
Christmas himself.

Nearby Soldier Hollow, where the 2002 Olympic cross country
championships were held, offers cross country skiing and other festivities.

I have traveled more than most, and have never seen a more
spectacular Christmas light display than on Temple Square in Salt Lake
City. Particular and detailed care is
given to lighting each branch in a tree; the effective is stunning and
artistic. This year, several trees were
lighted with both white and yellow bulbs creating a result I have never seen
before.

Festival of Trees

Founded for charitable contributions to Primary Children’s
Medical Center, this festival features elaborately decorated Christmas
trees. The locals are very creative, and
the result of hundreds of fully decorated Christmas trees is happy and festive.
Also available are holiday decorations by local crafts folk. There are few places “craftier” than Utah.

Cathedral of the
Madeleine

The Cathedral of the Madeleine has a long and venerated
Christmas tradition in Salt Lake. The
cathedral itself is stunning, and free Christmas concerts are offered to the
public. Midnight Mass is worth the wait
in any weather.

FM 100

The radio station, FM 100, is also a Utah holiday
tradition. The station plays non-stop
Christmas music with an apex of the 100 hours of Christmas (commercial
free). I, having spent most of my life
in Salt Lake City, thought every city had such a tradition. When I moved to sophisticated Manhattan and
spent my first holiday season there, I kept asking, “Where is the Christmas
music on the radio? Where are the Christmas sweaters?” It took me a while to
realize that no stylish Manhattanite would be caught dead in a holiday sweater,
and it was considered the duty of those other than the radio stations to
provide Christmas music. Try as I might, I just couldn’t find it in myself to
toss my somewhat tacky Christmas sweater.

This is the Place
Heritage Park

When the Mormon pioneers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley,
you can imagine it was a momentous occasion. This is where Mormon prophet
Brigham Young reportedly said after a long journey, “This is the place . .
.” (where the Mormon pioneers would
settle). Not only is there a This Is the
Place Monument, but an entire pioneer village with nineteenth-century, enchanting
pleasures.

At the park, enjoy a “Candlelight Christmas” complete with
carolers, a village decorated like a Currier & Ives card, and shopping.

Having grown up in New
England, summer vacations always consisted of road trips to see all the natural
beauty that was offered right in our own backyard. I remember piling in the station wagon, AAA
Trip-Tik maps at hand, a quick stop to pick up a few canisters of film and
extra flash cubes, and off we were to enjoy the beauty of one of our bordering
states. On a road trip in that part of America you would barely finish your
first article in Tiger Beat Magazine and you’d already be crossing state line.

Since then I’ve not
only married and had a family of my own but have lived abroad for a number of
years. My family and I have traveled
across several continents and I was always amazed at how many people around the
world have New England on their Bucket List.
I guess I shouldn’t really be surprised, but to me it’s always just been
home. We were traveling in Tallinn,
Estonia a few years back and I started chatting with a woman sitting next to me
at lunch. She mentioned that she has
always dreamed of visiting Vermont to see the fall foliage and hoped to
vacation on Cape Cod one summer. “Now,
is Boston a city or is that a state?” I
would get asked that a lot. Not only in
foreign countries but I was asked that a few times while living in the
Midwest. That’s actually not a joke.

If New England isn’t on
your Bucket List you’ll definitely want to include it after reading all the
splendor that exists there. Search the luxury
homes offered through International Vacation Home Exchange and plan to spend your next home swap exploring
New England.

Maine

Maine offers so much to
see and do especially for the outdoor enthusiast. Acadia National Park is a breathtaking
national treasure on the coast of Maine.
Throughout the state there are so many quaint towns and lighthouse
attractions to visit. Offering both
great skiing, hiking/biking trails and shoreline communities, there is always
plenty to enjoy no matter the season. We
all know Maine is known for having “wicked” good lobster, but did you know that
Portland has been making quite a name for itself for all types of cuisine? The Food Network recently named Portland as
one of the top 3 culinary destinations in the entire US. That might be reason enough to plan a visit.

Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is home
to beautiful Cape Cod, probably my favorite place on Earth. Each Cape Cod town offers its own unique
charm. Whether you walk, bike or relax
on the beach, it will be a vacation you won’t forget. Be sure to add a ferry ride to Martha’s
Vineyard and Nantucket to your itinerary.
Visiting the historic sights of Boston is only a short drive away. Venture a few hours west and you’ll be
enjoying all the charm that the Berkshires have to offer.

Connecticut

Mystic Seaport and
Mystic Aquarium are top attractions in this New England state. There you can learn about maritime history
and visit the whales, sea lions and penguins on display. Connecticut offers a few casino options with
Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods as well as museums and shoreline attractions. This small state is packed with something for
everyone.

New Hampshire

There’s a mere 18 miles
of shoreline offered in this state but you’ll find it full of rich, natural
beauty. Mount Washington offers every
outdoor activity imaginable for you to enjoy.
The 71 square miles of Lake Winnipesaukee, located at the foothills of
the White Mountains, offer something year round for everyone to enjoy.

Rhode Island

Tour the mansions to
see how the other half lives, visit the beaches or take a walk around Newport.
Don’t miss a ferry ride to spend the day exploring Block Island. There are so many attractions offered in the
Ocean State.

Vermont

Last but certainly not
least of the New England States is Vermont.
Home to the amazing slopes of Killington, Sugarbush and Stowe, among
others. It’s of course, known for its
beyond breathtaking leaf peeping opportunities, and there are numerous lakes to
enjoy. There is no such thing as “off-season”
in Vermont. It doesn’t matter when you
visit this beautiful state there is always something magical to
experience.

While it’s no easy task
to pry yourself away from all the excitement that UK’s capital city has to
offer, you won’t want to miss out on experiencing the charm and character of
the English countryside.With so much to
see and do just a few miles outside of the city, you’ll have a difficult time
deciding which you like better…city or country.

Cornwall

Located Southwest of
London are the picturesque seaside villages that make up the area known as
Cornwall. This area is a popular surfing
destination even though the water is always a bit chilly. Don’t let that stop you from booking a surf
lesson where wet suits are always provided.
If you’re a photography buff, then you’ll enjoy snapping away at the
breathtaking harbor views in this popular tourist destination.

Stonehenge

Don’t listen to the
folks who think it’s just a bunch of rocks.
Stonehenge is an amazing ancient Wonder of the World that is not to be
missed. Take the self-guided tour and
stare in awe as you attempt to figure out for yourself exactly how and why it
was built. It’s located about 90 miles
from central London. It’s also a short
distance to Bath, so while you’re out that way tack on a trip to see the Roman
Baths and Bath Abbey.

Shere, Surrey

While out touring the
English countryside it’s nice to take a break from the touristy spots and stop
into one of the many quaint villages to see what I like to call “real England.” Shere is a little village located in
Surrey. I used to live a short drive
from Shere and found its duck-filled stream and cozy shops an enjoyable
retreat. If you’re a movie buff, then
you’ll recognize this village from the movie Holiday with Cameron Diaz
and Jack Black. Diaz’s character is a LA
executive who decides to do a home swap with Kate Winslet’s character who has a
home in Shere. You can have your own “Holiday”
experience with a luxury home exchange in one of these quintessential English homes offered by International
Vacation Home Exchange
and experience “real England” first hand.

Dover

Located on the East
Coast of England and at the closest point to continental Europe, Dover is a
must-see attraction for any history buff.
You can see for yourself the beauty of the well-known White Cliffs of
Dover. Take a tour of medieval Dover
Castle which houses the wartime tunnels and learn about this area’s integral
part in history.

Lake District

Enjoy the English
countryside at its best in this Northwest area of England. There are endless ways to enjoy the
outdoors. Whether it’s hiking, biking or
just taking a scenic drive and stopping off to enjoy a pint at one of the local
pubs. This area is not only known for
its majestic lakes and rugged mountain terrain but also for its historic
literary association. This area has been
an inspiration to authors and poets such as William Wordsworth and Beatrix
Potter to name a few.

These are just a few of
the sites that are packed into this tiny island. There is so much rich history and
breathtaking charm scattered throughout the countryside that you could return
time and time again and never run out of sites to see.

Thank you Travel Writer
Lisa Medeiros. Check out
lisamedeiros.com and follow her on Twitter @lisamedeiros_

My lovely home state
of Florida (the “Sunshine” state) was recently hit hard by a severe hurricane.
My local area, which is a very popular travel destination, was among the
hardest hit. There will no doubt be a huge cost to repair the roads, beaches,
and local businesses which suffered catastrophic losses due to the tidal surges
and strong winds. There is no doubt that Florida took a hit this hurricane
season, but don’t let that put you off of our state as a potential vacation
spot in the months to come.

I’ve
written
before about the wonders that Florida has to offer vacationers. One thing I
might not have made sufficiently clear though is that we Floridians are a very
resilient bunch! Personally, I have been through Hurricanes Andrew, Ivan,
Wilma, Charley, and Matthew (and that’s only counting the really severe named
storms) and have lived to tell the tale. Our communities have done a great job
of coming together, with local restaurants providing free food to those without
power, volunteers helping to clear the debris, and neighbors watching out for
each other during the rough weather. Many from outside of the impacted areas
have asked how they can help in the wake of the storm. While donating money and
time is certainly much appreciated, there are also other ways you can help;
namely, come visit us!

The
areas of the east coast which were impacted the most include St.
Augustine and Flagler Beach – both known for their popular tourist
attractions. The economy of these places is highly dependent on the money
brought in from tourism, so the far-reaching impacts of this storm may be much
costlier than even the steep price tags to rebuild. We lost a few treasured
restaurants to flood waters and the scenic A1A roadway has been heavily eroded
and remains closed in some places, but our local restaurateurs and government
have already started plans to rebuild.
Many of the impacted businesses are reopened along the historic St.
Augustine Bayfront. All up and down the coast, small business owners are
reopening their doors and are counting on your visits to recoup some of their
losses. It may be some time before all of the beaches are cleared and reopened
to the public, but I would urge you not to write off Florida’s first coast when
you’re considering your next vacation destination.

We
Floridians count on you coming to visit us to see the world renowned Nights of
Lights in St. Augustine during the holidays. We depend on the long rows of
bikers who ride A1A every October on their pilgrimage to Daytona Beach. Our
communities are what they are largely because you bring your families to our
beaches each summer to make memories that will last a lifetime. While your
first instinct may be to head to areas which were not hard-hit by Hurricane
Matthew, I would urge you to consider visiting us instead. The best way you can
help the local communities get back to normal is to plan a vacation! IVHE has
no shortage of lovely
homes along the east coast of Florida which will help make your stay just
perfect. Disney is still standing strong, our beaches will soon be as serene as
ever, and our unique local businesses will open their doors to serve you.
Pardon our dust!

There are so many great reasons to visit Italy. From the world famous attractions, detailed
architecture, historic ruins and breathtaking coastline to the amazing food and
wine, it’s no wonder it’s one of the most visited countries in the world. There’s so much to see and do in this amazing
country you could spend a lifetime exploring it.

Italy is home to some of the most vibrant cities
around. The capital city of Rome
offers so many sites all within close proximity to one another. Home to such iconic attractions as the
Colosseum, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and, of course, the Vatican. The piazzas are always filled with the aroma
of amazing Italian cuisine where you could sit and enjoy a meal alfresco while
sipping on a glass of their fine wine.
Head north to enjoy the center of Italian renaissance with a visit to Florence. Its top attraction is the ironic tiled roof
of the Duomo. Walk the cobblestone
streets to take in all the beauty this city has to offer. Florence is the capital of the Tuscany region
of Italy. This region is known for its
wineries, extraordinary landscape and medieval villages. It’s the Italian
experience at its best. Further north is
Pisa, with its famous leaning tower and charming town. Venice is just a bit further North and
is a must-do on any trip to Italy. Be
sure to take a gondola ride, see the sites and allow time to “get lost in
Venice.”

Along with its exciting cites, Italy also offers many
seaside attractions in the Mediterranean.
Explore the wondering coastline of the Amalfi Coast, which stretches
from Sorrento to Salerno, and experience the dramatic coastal mountains as they
plunge into the sea. Visit the beautiful
beaches of Italy’s two largest islands, Sardinia and Sicily for their
breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and abundance of outdoor activities to
enjoy.

Italy also offers its share of winter fun and
recreation. Italy boasts more than 300
ski areas. For beautiful scenery and a
variety of terrain, enjoy skiing the Dolomites in the Italian Alps. Skiing in Italy is known to have excellent
value for money and, of course, great food and wine.

You’ll not only want to plan a holiday to Italy but you’ll
want to return again and again. Make it
easy, and stay in one of IVHE’s
luxury homes located in a number of different locations in Italy! No matter
what season you visit, you’ll find a warmth and hospitality that will have you
feeling like you’re one of the family.

The vibe of LA was summed up in a few words of wisdom from a
bartender shortly after we landed. He
said, “LA is a lifestyle, not a city.
Think about it.” I not only
thought about it as I sipped my Cosmo but decided to make that our mantra as we
set out to explore our new surroundings.

I love exploring new cities and while I’ve been to most
major cities around the world this was my first time visiting LA. I can certainly see what all the hype is
about, why everyone wants to live there and why those who move there never
leave. The thing I love the most about
visiting new cities is that each one takes on a personality all its own and
while LA was pretty much what I had envisioned there were a few things that I
didn’t expect. Here’s my take on the
city through the eyes of a newbie.

It’s Very Spread Out

The areas you want to see as a tourist are very spread
out. Much more spread out than other
cites I’ve visited, so you really need to rent a car or hire a driver to ensure
you see all the sights.

Yes, the Sun Always Shines

I chatted with a man who was from the East Coast originally
who told me that the weather is so sunny that he actually misses the rain. I guess it’s true what they say about too
much of a good thing.

The Oscar Night Red Carpet is Actually the Road

Adobe Theatre is actually located on a very busy main
street. When Oscar time rolls around,
the intersection just before the Adobe Theater is closed off and the famous red
carpet is put down in the road leading up to the theater. The cars and limos drop off at the
intersection while the stars get out and walk the red carpet lined with
paparazzi. It was interesting to see
exactly where all the Hollywood magic happens on that night.

No One Visits Downtown

I guess living near NYC I just assumed all the action was in
downtown LA so I was surprised to find out that’s not the case. No one actually goes downtown and there’s not
much to do there. I’ve heard they are
revitalizing the area so that may change if you plan to visit in the coming years.

You Won’t See Any Familiar Faces on Rodeo Drive

I always imagined Rodeo Drive packed with the Hollywood
famed and since I love a good celebrity sighting this came as a bit of a
disappointment. It’s too touristy for
them I was told but I did learn that if you want to shop with the rich and
famous your best bet is Melrose Avenue.
I had no luck with a sighting there either though I have to admit I’m
not the best at identifying them.

If LA has always been on your Bucket List, then you can live
among the stars by booking a luxury home swap through
International Vacation Home Exchange. They offer properties in 70 countries around
the world so if you don’t spot a celebrity in LA you might try catching one in
London, Paris or one of the many other cities IVHE offers properties. I just hope your star spotting abilities are
much better than mine.

I had the pleasure of taking two weekend trips to Boston recently. One was to visit one of my favorite gal pals and the other was college touring with our teenage sons. Since I don’t have daughters, I relish my shopping trip with girlfriends. When I’m out with my husband and boys I barely even window shop and when I do it’s at a blurred pace. So needless to say, one trip was quite relaxing and included lots of shopping with discussions over chardonnay on what’s “coming back in style” while my other trip to Boston was centered around where the next meal was coming from. Both were enjoyable, of course, as Boston has always been one of my favorite cities.

My friend and I enjoyed a relaxing day browsing around Newbury Street and popping into the quaint shops on this tree-lined historic section of the city’s Back Bay. You’ll find a selection of international shops and local boutiques as well as world class dining. When I revisited this area with my sons we cruised right past these shops to grab a hamburger at Abe & Louie’s on Boylston Street. Don’t miss a stop at this sophisticated steakhouse which is truly a throwback to a past era and the clam chowder was amazing.

A short walk from Newbury Street is The Shops at Prudential Center where you’ll find a variety national chain stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor. Prudential Center also offers a unique mix of dining options. Located not far from these shops is Copley Place which offers more of an upscale shopping experience with stores such as Tiffany & Co, Jimmy Choo, and Louis Vuitton, to name a few.

No trip to Bean Town is complete without a visit to Faneuil Hall. It’s a must-see for both a gal pal getaway or a teens-in-tow weekend. The teens will still roll their eyes in boredom but will later admit it was a pretty cool area. Faneuil Hall Marketplace Shopping Center offers some interesting shops and boutiques. It’s a great location to dine, shop or just people watch. You will usually find some type of event or street entertainment taking place. A must-do dining experience when in this part of town is dinner at the Union Oyster House. It is considered one of the oldest operating restaurants in the US and has continuously operated since it’s opening in 1826. There’s good reason for that as the seafood was certainly everything you would expect it to be and it even managed to put a smile on the face of a couple of teenage boys.

A great way to experience the city and live like a local is through a home swap. International Vacation Home Exchange offers this city center apartment. You’re sure to find it a “wicked” good place to stay while you explore this exciting capital city.